In many ways, the genocidal siege of Gaza that many of us have been demonstrating against in recent weeks is a harbinger of the widening war against the workers and oppressed peoples of the planet that is sure to intensify this year. In 2009, more and more lives are going to be devastated by the biggest global economic crisis since the depression of the 1930s. So far it’s only the biggest banks that have been bailed out. This crisis is the challenge of a lifetime to those of us who have made a commitment to fighting for the rights of people. What we do or fail to do will prove decisive to the coming battle over whose interest in society shall prevail; the needs of the people or the greed of the relatively few who insist that their profits always come first.

The Bail Out the People Movement invites you to come together in N.Y.C. on Sat., Jan. 17, 2009 and help plan the fight back.That Barack Obama will become president on Jan. 20 realizes a measure of King’s dream. But depression level joblessness, evictions and foreclosures made worse by cutbacks, war, bigotry and racism are not a dream but a nightmare. This is a time of many contradictions. Many people feel that the new president will bring progressive change but at the same time, there are Black youth being summarily executed by police; Proposition 8; new attacks on reproductive justice; one of the biggest bigots presiding over the inauguration ceremony and the prospects of a widening war in Afghanistan. Part of the legacy of Dr. King is the understanding that no election or president--however historical and inspiring--can be a substitute for a mass movement in the struggle against war or for social and economic rights. Let’s come together and determine what we can do to help give birth to a desperately needed united fightback.

ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN PANELS AND WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

Al –AWDA--Palestinian Right To Return Coalition, BAYAN USA, Black Workers For Justice, N.Y. City Council Member Charles Barron, Fight Imperialism-Stand Together (FIST), Guyanese Workers Association, Harlem Tenants Council, Health Care – NOW, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Labor/Community Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions, May 1st Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights, Million Worker March Movement, Moratorium Now! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions, Nat’l. Network Against Foreclosures and Evictions, New York City Labor Against The War, North Carolina Public Service Workers Union-UE Local 150, Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum, Striking Stella Doro Workers, Stonewall Warriors, Students For a Democratic Society, Take Back Our Union, United Students Against Sweatshops, Women’s Fightback Network

QUESTIONS, CHALLENGES & ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN UP AT THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE:

* GAZA – ITS MEANING FOR THE GLOBAL STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE

* AN ANALYSIS OF OBAMA’S STIMULUS PROPOSAL – WHY IT’S NOT ENOUGH

* UNITING BEHIND AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM THAT PUTS PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS

* A STRATEGY FOR MASS ORGANIZATION, MOBILIZATION AND ACTION

* THE NEXT PHASE OF THE FIGHT VS FORECLOSURES, EVICTIONS, LAYOFFS & CUTBACKS

* DR. KING’S LAST DREAM: OPENING THE FIGHT FOR JOBS OR INCOME NOW

* THE CONCEPT OF A PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

* CAN AN ARMY OF ORGANIZERS BE RECRUITED?

* APRIL 3 & 4 – A TIME FOR MASS ACTION (anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination)

Activists are already planning peace mobilizations for NYC, possibly on Wall St. This is a good idea. An even better idea is to mobilize for two days including Fri., April 3 when the stock exchange, businesses and banks are open and workers are there.

* MAY 1, INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY 2009: CAN IT BE A TURNING POINT?

Mass mobilization for immigrant and all worker’s rights; How can we strengthen participation and solidarity – especially now?

* MARCH ON PENTAGON – SAT., MARCH 21 (6th anniversary of the Iraq war)